Natasha’s Statement: “Iniubong Umoren was not a victim of organ harvesting” — Sister denies viral allegations
• Ifiok Ephraim Umoren
Ifiok Ephraim Umoren, the eldest sister of the late Iniubong Umoren, has categorically rejected the viral allegations suggesting that her sister’s organs were harvested after her tragic murder in April 2021.
During a press conference in Uyo, on Saturday, Ifiok described the claims as “outrageous” and “deeply hurtful,” asserting that she was present during the autopsy, which confirmed that all internal organs were intact.
Iniubong Umoren, a 26-year-old Philosophy graduate from the University of Uyo, was murdered on April 29, 2021, by UduakAbasi Frank Akpan under the pretense of a job interview.
Akpan was later convicted of rape and murder and sentenced to death by the Akwa Ibom State High Court on August 4, 2022.
The press conference was prompted by recent statements allegedly made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in a viral audio conversation with US-based activist Dr. Sandra C. Duru, popularly known as Professor Mgbeke, where she alleged that Nigeria’s Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, was involved in harvesting Iniubong’s organs to benefit his wife.
Accompanied by Akwa Ibom’s Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Friday Itim, and Samson Adula Esq., the State Coordinator and head of the Legal Aid Council, Ifiok expressed her disbelief and emotional pain regarding the allegations.
“How can anyone claim that my sister’s organs were harvested when I was there during the autopsy?” she questioned.
This accusation is not only false but also dishonors my sister’s memory and re-traumatizes our family.”
She recounted how Iniubong had informed her about a job interview before her disappearance and how she played a crucial role in identifying the suspect and assisting police investigations.
“After her death, the police took her body for an autopsy at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. I was present. No organs were missing. We felt very upset when the news linking the former governor of Akwa Ibom to my sister’s death surfaced.
“I am not happy about it. Senator Natasha has no evidence to support such an allegation. I am urging Nigerians to disregard her claims. Senator Akpabio did not send anyone to kill my sister”, she stated.
Mr. Itim supported her claims, describing the crime as a singular act committed by UduakAbasi Akpan, who attacked Iniubong after she refused to engage in unprotected sex.
“He killed her in a fit of rage, buried her in a shallow grave, and fled. His arrest was aided by his family and the then Chairman of Uran Local Government Area (Mr Iniobong Ekpenyong)” Itim explained.
Mr. Adula emphasised that the organ harvesting allegations had no basis in the court proceedings.
“Neither the prosecution nor the defense ever mentioned Senator Akpabio in relation to this case. The certified autopsy report is publicly available and confirms that all internal organs were intact.”
Dr. Emeka Nwafor, the pathologist who conducted the postmortem, also testified under oath in court in 2021 that while the body exhibited signs of decomposition and trauma, there was no evidence of organ removal.
Legal experts and family members are now contemplating legal action against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for disseminating what they describe as “defamatory and destabilising misinformation.”
The gruesome murder of Ms. Umoren came to a close in 2022 with the successful prosecution and conviction of Uduak-Abasi Akpan. The State, led by the Attorney General Uko Essien Udom SAN, presented a strong case against the perpetrator, resulting in his sentencing to death for both rape and murder charges.
The trial, which set a record for speedy criminal justice proceedings lasting only 10 months, involved key witnesses like Ifiok Umoren and Uduak Joseph Umoh, a friend who was in contact with the victim during the job interview.
Their testimonies, along with evidence from the police and DSS, painted a clear picture of Akpan’s heinous actions. Akpan’s confession that he lured Iniubong for a job interview, attempted to rape her, and ultimately killed her in a violent manner shocked the court.
The discovery of Iniubong’s body buried in a shallow grave on Akpan’s father’s compound further cemented his guilt. The court’s decision to sentence him to death reflected the severity of his crimes and served as justice for Iniubong and her grieving family.
